Joy in Air Pollution

This begins a series of redemption stories that I am so eager to share with you, it's pure JOY!

The Hardest Year has proven to be the best growing conditions; wounds, the soil out of which of fruit and blooms are emerging.

I hope these testimonies shared over the next few days will be an encouragement to you.
Thank you for reading!

And thank you so much for your kind emails and comments in response to my previous post. I know we are loved and supported. Thank you.

What if the most basic thing you took for granted every day was taken away? Could you still be be happy? Could you still step out the door each morning with a joyful song on your lips, unshakable peace in your heart?

I thought all my joy was in Jesus.

Turns out that my joy is bound to a multitude of frail places, called: Clean Air, Physical Health, Comfort, Peace of Mind, Outdoor Recreation, Ideal Childhood for My Kids, Control...

Frail places crumbled away, and joy, tethered to them, also was removed from me.



But my young children are growing up in a carcinogenic smog, and yet shall I rejoice?

For months I said no way. (I still sometimes say no!) I need Jesus PLUS clean air.

Here's the truth. Just knowing Jesus, the marvel of who he is, what he has done for us, how he loves us, trusting in his every word, resting in his promises, delighting in his presence now, eagerly anticipating our future with him -- Yes, I will rejoice in him, I will sing for joy! Nothing can steal this joy from me, stayed on the one who is eternally unchanging.



I know there remain more crumbling places to which joy has been foolishly affixed.
Lord, let's do this. Let's get rid of those until it's just you.

"I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns." (Phil 1:6)



Father and I have shared hundreds of important conversations (arguments, tears!) because of air pollution. I would rather suffer the smog and grow to know Father more deeply, than to breathe a whole lifetime of clean air and miss all the moments with him.

He teaches me to bind all my joy, hope, happiness, and peace just to him. He gives me opportunity to trust him. He invites me to know him intimately, love him dearly, cling to him alone. Because he knows that's the only way I can ever be whole, happy, free.



I look out at the grey sky, and what do I see? His love for me.
Seriously, the toxic haze has become our little cue, our little rainbow, our wedding ring, our engraved monument -- whispered words reminding, "I love you Rachel."

counting the graces

thank you Father for

running errands around the city with kids this afternoon, they're good company

Titus on a special trip with his dad, and Mike and I have the weekend together, Mike's even sleeping in my bed!

the perfect gift for little Yuanchao

Auntie Wang's company and all the good talks when it's just the two of us

privilege of reading a tall stack of story books to Mike, books he chose

cool evening

YF calls up Auntie Wang and wants to go to group with her

heartfelt responses from people who care